Loss of self-reliance<\/p>\n
From Republika<\/p>\n
As a son of the nation, I was caught by surprise when reading
\nthe Bisik-Bisik (Whispering) column in Malaysia's Utusan daily
\nsaying that President Abdurrahman Wahid had installed an adviser
\nof American-Jewish descent. It seems that the policies of the
\ngovernment are not free from foreign intervention.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has earned international renown for its heroism and
\ncourage in dispelling colonial rulers. Today, however, there is a
\nnew type of colonialism, which is being devised by a nation
\nclaiming to be the world's police and the champion of human
\nrights. Does this nation ever realize that colonialism wearing
\nthe mask of a hero continues to infiltrate all our important
\nsectors?<\/p>\n
Indonesians who have traveled around the world for the last
\ndozens of years have said that there used to be a time when
\nIndonesians would proudly say they were Indonesians. Why? The
\nthen national leader, Bung Karno, upheld the nation's dignity on
\nevery occasion. Now we are \"ashamed\" of being Indonesian simply
\nbecause the dignity of our state leaders, which serves as a
\nmirror of our national pride to other nations, has dimmed. They
\nhave let the IMF interfere with their affairs. They have
\nsubjected themselves to the pressure disguised as \"economic aid\"
\nfrom the IMF and the champion of human rights. Where has the
\nspirit of self-reliance gone, which was once considered the true
\nnature of our nation?<\/p>\n
In region comprising the Association of Southeast Asian
\nNations (ASEAN), East Asia and Australia, Indonesia, so it seems
\nto me, is a country endowed with the richest natural resources
\nand the largest natural gas deposits. However, after being
\nindependent for over 50 years, we still haven't been able to
\nfully process this great natural wealth. Do we lack experts or
\nhave we really lost our nationalism following the economic crisis
\nthat has hit our country?<\/p>\n
Security in the country is in poor condition while the
\nsecurity apparatus has lost the people's trust. The government's
\nlack of firmness in dealing with violent acts now rampant in the
\nregions has led to national disintegration. Showing leniency to
\none region will only tempt others to follow suit. If this
\nphenomenon is allowed to go unchecked, it is feared that every
\nyear we will lose another province. In other words, in the five
\nyears of President Abdurrahman Wahid's administration we are very
\nlikely to lose five provinces.<\/p>\n
The signing of an \"armistice\" with the gang of security
\ndisturbers in Aceh is a backward step in an effort to create
\nstability in the region. \"The People's Congress\" of Irian Jaya is
\nalso one of the designs by colonial powers to subject Indonesia
\nto a new type of colonialism. We have to be alert about this
\nmatter. It is enough for us to lose just the province of East
\nTimor.<\/p>\n
During the Dutch colonial period, the colonial power could do
\nvirtually anything to our country. Now the same thing is being
\ndone in a more sophisticated, but at the same time deadlier
\nmanner. May God the Almighty always guide our national leaders to
\nmake them always see the importance of national unity and to
\nalways take great pride in being Indonesian.<\/p>\n
SUHAILI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/loss-of-self-reliance-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }